10 TV Shows That Failed to Capture the Magic of Great Books

Adapting a beloved book into a TV show is a tough task. A great novel can spark imagination, but the screen often struggles to match that depth, especially when creators stray too far from the source or miss its heart.

Some TV adaptations of fantastic books have flopped hard, leaving fans disappointed and new viewers confused. Here’s my take on 10 shows that didn’t live up to the brilliance of the books they were based on.

The Rook (2019)

Based on Daniel O’Malley’s 2012 novel, ‘The Rook’ had a gripping premise. A woman wakes up on a London bridge with no memory, surrounded by bodies, and learns she’s a secret agent with supernatural powers. The book’s mix of mystery and dark humor was a hit, but the Starz miniseries stumbled.

It rushed through the novel’s clever plot, losing its psychological depth. Changes to the story made it feel generic, and the pacing dragged, turning an exciting thriller into a dull watch.

Are You There, Chelsea? (2012)

Chelsea Handler’s memoir, a funny collection of life stories, was a bestseller for its sharp wit. The NBC sitcom ‘Are You There, Chelsea?’ tried to bring that humor to TV but fell flat.

The show stripped away the book’s charm, replacing it with forced jokes and weak characters. Laura Prepon starred as Chelsea, but even her effort couldn’t save the unfunny scripts or lack of originality.

Supergirl (2015-2021)

DC Comics’ Supergirl is a beloved character with a rich history in print. The CBS-turned-CW show ‘Supergirl’ aimed to bring her to life but struggled with poor execution.

Shoddy CGI became a running joke online, and the writing often felt shallow compared to the comics’ emotional depth. While Melissa Benoist shone as Kara, the show’s inconsistencies let down the source material’s legacy.

Inhumans (2017)

Marvel’s ‘Inhumans’ comic series is known for its complex royal family and epic stakes. The ABC show ‘Inhumans’ promised to explore this world but crashed after eight episodes.

Critics panned its cheap visuals and muddled story. The show ignored the comics’ grandeur, delivering a forgettable mess that Marvel fans quickly disowned.

Dracula (2013-2014)

Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ is a gothic masterpiece. NBC’s ‘Dracula’ tried to reinvent the vampire tale by making him an American entrepreneur obsessed with electricity.

The focus on dull subplots over horror and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers’ shaky accent sank the show. It strayed so far from the novel’s chilling atmosphere that it felt like a different story entirely.

Under the Dome (2013-2015)

Stephen King’s ‘Under the Dome’ is a tense sci-fi novel about a town trapped under a mysterious dome. The CBS series started with promise but quickly lost its way.

It added pointless subplots and stretched the story beyond the book’s tight narrative. By the end, even King called it ‘dumb,’ a rare jab from an author at his own adaptation.

The Stand (2020)

Another Stephen King novel, ‘The Stand,’ is a sprawling tale of good versus evil after a deadly plague. The 2020 CBS miniseries had a stellar cast but fumbled the delivery.

New subplots cluttered the story, and the pacing felt rushed, losing the book’s epic scope. Fans of the novel found it a pale shadow of King’s vision.

Great Expectations (2023)

Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ is a timeless coming-of-age story. The 2023 BBC miniseries, created by Steven Knight, aimed for a bold take but missed the mark.

Its overly dark tone and major changes to the plot alienated fans. Despite strong performances from Olivia Colman, the show couldn’t capture the novel’s emotional depth.

All the Light We Cannot See (2023)

Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ is a poignant World War II story. Netflix’s miniseries tried to adapt it but softened the book’s impact.

The show’s hopeful ending and narrative tweaks diluted the novel’s raw emotion. Critics noted it felt too polished, lacking the book’s haunting power.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022-)

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is a literary treasure, and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ on Prime Video had high expectations. Sadly, it’s my pick for the worst offender.

The show’s loose connection to Tolkien’s works and its sluggish pacing frustrated fans. It failed to capture the rich history and grandeur of the books, feeling more like a generic fantasy than a true adaptation.

Which book-to-TV adaptation disappointed you the most, or is there a flop I missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!